Tuesday, June 13, 2023

A Pantry of Abundance NOT Fear

 Happy Tuesday all!  
Today let's talk a bit about pantries.  I hope these subjects don't get boring to you all.  I just get these random thoughts in my head and feel like talking.

I keep hearing all the fear stories being put out there.  Fear is not a good way to live in my opinion.  Preparedness and confidence is better!

There are the stories of extreme inflation, scarcity of product, weather dread, trucking issues, panic shopping, all kinds of shock and awe stories.  You have heard them too.  
Yes, Prices have gone up.  Yes, there have been some inventory issues - it usually all works out in time.  Sure gas has gone up.  But that doesn't mean you still can't have a wonderful pantry (in all areas) and be prepared for whatever comes your way.

DO NOT be a slave to consumerism!  This allows you freedom on so many levels!  How you ask, can that be done.  Simple - just slowly stock and keep an abundant pantry.


This is simple abundance to me!   Good old basic yummy veggies - meat or no meat - wouldn't matter.  Nothing like fresh and wonderful garden veggies.

I now spend less on groceries than I did 3 years ago!  Yes, you read that right.  I now only REstock and buy the occasional fresh food.  I do not have to do a big grocery shop every week.  I just add back in what I might be running low on.  I often times can go a few weeks without shopping.
It does save money to have your own 'grocery store' at home.  Nothing better and it sure is blessing.

I have purchased from sales, clearance and markdowns over time.  Rarely do I pay full price.  Slowly and steadily I have managed to accumulate an abundant pantry!

I can feel confident, that is it all dropped off tomorrow, I would be just fine for a long, long time!  May not always be a balanced meal or my favorites - but I would be fine and not go hungry.  I can help others as well, whenever I need to.  Such a comforting feeling.


Make sure you have some basic and good recipe books!  They sure can help you out in a pinch.  The older cookbooks have many of the recipes our moms and grandmas made during rougher times in history.  Keep simple and basic INGREDIENTS on hand and you can make most anything.

This helps you stay home, cook the basics, save gasoline and wear and tear on the vehicle, and gives you more time for other things.
Life doesn't have to complicated.  It doesn't have to cause you to go broke.  It just needs to satisfy and please you.
Slow and steady wins the race!!!!!!!!

Stock what you like and use and use what you stock!
Hope this helps someone!!!!!


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A blessing for today:

My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart.
Psalm 73:26

53 comments:

  1. Oh, I really like the blessing for today! BTW, a scripture reference makes a dandy password.

    Yup, buy what you would actually eat. The Farmer says that if you were really hungry, you would eat that. Why not buy what you eat! Between the groceries in your pantry and your grow-ceries, you are well set. I'm going to cut another broccoli today and maybe pull some turnips. Have canned greens on the shelf and will add a chopped turnip to it. The Farmer has been feeding the turnip greens to the chickens and they just fall on them! Hate to deprive the chickens of their treat. Should have some more zucchini ready too. The lady at the nursery in Carmel gave us some asparagus and it actually came up this spring. Hopefully next year we can harvest some.

    Boy it has been cool the last few days! Not complaining, mind you. We ran the a/c a couple days when it was super hot and then shut it back off. We are closed up all winter and I prefer to open up the house when it's nice.

    Hope all is well in your neighborhood!

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    1. Thanks.
      Yes, why not buy what you like and what you will eat? Sure we could all survive on other things - but if surviving might as well be happy!
      Sounds like things are growing great at your house.
      It has been cool - windows open and fresh air here too. Sure helps with the electric bill!
      Thank you!

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  2. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart.
    Psalm 73:26 Amen, Cheryl!

    If you recall, last year we were preparing to move into our new home on land we bought just before the world shut down. It was during the pandemic that Hubs made the decision to retire sooner than originally planned. Last June, we'd been staying out our son's little house farther up the mountain. It meant starting with an empty pantry at a time when inflation really kicked in BIG time and every local store had shortages of something. I felt anxious and depressed. But then...

    Little by little, I built our pantry and freezer following ideas and advice here. We bought a small chest freezer on sale. I spent less than $30 on a vacuum sealer. Every meat sale (a LOT of beef was on sale last summer) I bought a little extra. We got staples and ingredients rather than convenience anything. Canned goods. Dry goods. If it wasn't on sale, I didn't buy it. If it was, I stocked up. By the time holiday season rolled around, I had a good stash and kept going.

    What that meant was when we were snowed in periodically throughout the winter months, we were fine. It also meant that as BIL made 7 trips here as he emptied the folks' house in SoCal, often with an Uncle from Phoenix along, I had plenty. No worries at all in the food department. It meant that when Blue showed up, starving, we were able to take in that sweet, stray dog... and a few months ago, the tiny little pup, Poppy.

    Not only do I have months' worth of food for us, I'm able to share. We save--on average--43% with each grocery trip. And (as you said) I can go a week or two w/o having to buy a thing.

    There are plenty enough worries in life. There's an abundance of bad news designed to cause stress; that's the TRUTH, as they make their money from people tuning in or clicking on headlines. Thanks to you, Cheryl, and so many here, and thanks to God, food causes me no stress anymore and we eat well. --Elise

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    1. Love the testimonial! It helps people to understand it isn't just me saying this stuff. People are actually living it - and giving great examples.
      Yep, there is enough garbage in this world - we can each lift one another up and help each other out. Love that so many share their wisdom!

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    2. Amelia, I find that if I restrict "news" intake tightly, limiting it to mostly financial/business/ag "news" and clicking only on the headlines that don't sound like a tabloid front page (more on that in a sec), I'm happier and less stressed overall. If the headline is about conjecture, supposition, what so-and-so said about a topic/issue, it isn't news. Might, could, may... all those words are tip offs. Takes a little practice, but in time, you get very good at avoiding what isn't actual news. I don't watch much You Tube other than how-to stuff. Like learning to make my own Sopapillas! --Elise

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  3. Cheryl, I never get tired of the content of these posts. Shop at home has been a motto of mine for years. I take stock of what I have, then plan a menu around that. I abhor food waste so that factors into the menu plan. Leftovers get used, often repurposed. I don't want to be a food snob but when I look at the empty calorie & prepared foods filling grocery carts, I'm not surprised that people complain of food costs. Grocery costs haven't decreased in my household but they haven't gone up in the past 3-4 yrs.

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    1. Thank you! I love shopping at home. I can plan about anything from here.
      Like you - you look at carts and just shake your head. So many empty calories and junk and obesity at an all-time high. Can't say I wonder why.
      Give me real food!

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  4. Hi Cheryl. Great post and it is so true! Before DH passed away last December, we had a full small chest freezer and pantry. I figured about 6-8 months of food for the two of us, bought on sale! And I didn’t worry, I knew I could feed us no matter what. As you know, after he passed away, I decided to sell our house and move to a smaller place. I gave all the frozen food and the freezer to the local food bank, as well as 80% of the regular pantry. So now I am in my new place with an empty freezer and not much in the pantry. Like Elise commented above, now I rebuild, although for one person I need a lot less…plus I am still not cooking ;). Hilogene in Az.

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    1. I hate you felt the need to get rid of - but happy you blessed so many others.
      I have never stopped having my pantry full. That is just me and that is a bit of the security I feel. You will slowly restock and watch the deals. You got this.
      I bet if you figure what you are spending on eating vs. cooking in - you'd be amazed! In time my friend!

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  5. A Note About Fuel Savings: Most of us need fuel to cook that food with, and summertime is when discounts happen. I called a local propane company yesterday; their Summer Sale starts in July, so I scheduled a top-up for our 500 gallon tank the 1st week of July. We'll save between 20 and 30 cents per gallon and use only aprox. 20-30 gallons per month, so that top up will get us into winter easily. Also, wood and bagged wood pellets are offered at a discount during summer months. Usually just June and July. If you can, get what you'll need when the prices are at their lowest. Looking to get a back-up generator for the winter? This is also when *those* are priced lower than any other time of the year.
    --Elise

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    1. Elise, we also get our pellets and propane in the summer. When we were looking for a backup generator we decided on a whole house generator that is wired into the junction box ,that has 2 of it's own propane tanks instead of being hooked up to our underground tank. The generator automatically turns in seconds if the power goes out and turns off automatically when the power comes back on. We can either run the whole house or just choose what we want to run if the power goes out. Cookie

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    2. Excellent tips Elise - Get those savings where you can.

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    3. Cookie I have a whole house generator, but mine is hooked to natural gas. I haven't had it turn on very often, but it sure is a comfort to have. Keeps the freezer going and keeps me warm if cold out!

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    4. Cookie, that is a great idea to have separate propane tanks for the generator. We had one installed after a horrible freeze that even killed a child here in Texas. We have a wood burning stove but other things are needed too. Thanks Cookie for the idea. God bless!

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    5. Thank you for the tip, Cookie! We were--in our contract--supposed to have solar back up to the house, but that's not how it was installed. They've been dragging their feet for months to get that done. So... I'm pricing back up generators and LOVE the idea of not having it hooked up to the 500 gallon house tank. --Elise

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  6. Debby in Kansas USAJune 13, 2023 at 9:46 AM

    Elise, I still remember that overwhelming feeling of moving and having NO groceries or stock or anything! Like you, I just waited out sales and was eventually stocked to the brim. Our Cali stock blessed my mom and brother greatly and they were tickled to have such a wide variety of everything, including paper products, shampoos, etc.

    I'm primarily buying replacements and the seasonal treats like the most delicious strawberries I got last trip. When hubs started his new summer work locale, we had a lot of MREs in the freezer that we've been eating for dinner every night. Today is the first time since mid May that I put a pork loin in the crockpot. Not because we need it, but to to keep some choices. Like you, Cheryl, I feel very comfortable. I'm sending my brother a box of food Saturday to get him thru June. I include some canned meats and fruit, as well as a birthday treat of Pop Tarts. I meant to get a couple of cans of Dinty Moore stew, but I forgot.

    We didn't do any sort of garden this year. My knee has been testy and I'd rather not lame myself. Hubs just doesn't have the time on his crazy current schedule. 😟

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    1. That is wonderful to help out others. I bet your brother will truly appreciate the gift. Yes, it is such a comfort to know IT WILL BE OK! Sorry you can't garden - hope you can find many fresh items locally for a good price.

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    2. It was overwhelming, Debby, but little by little (even with inflation) I was able to build solid food stores. And I'm glad I'm not the only one who sends food care packages! LOL!
      --Elise

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  7. I have been amazed (or is that appalled) over these past 3 years how many people have bought crap that was on sale-stuff they wouldn't ordinarily eat, just to have it in the pantry. What you buy, you eventually must eat or throw that $$ in the trash can.

    I love a good price or sale but I buy what we eat. Our 2022 expenditure was 10% lower than 2019. Go figure. And I buy organic CSA and ground beef/roast direct from farmer and wild pacific salmon from a local family who fish off Alaska every summer. These staples are never 'on sale' but oh my fresh is fabulous!

    Pantry building is like sailing....slowly she goes. If $ is tight, set a weekly or monthly budget amount specifically to build it up. $10/month DOES make a difference!

    Happy Tuesday ya'll :-)

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    1. It is pretty appalling. I kind of think a lot of the shop from your house thing had something to do with what people bought. Just my logic on it. YES buy what you normally eat!
      Would those same people feel like driving down the road and just throwing money out the window? Bet not!!!!!
      You are another great testimonial - thank you. Shows you can eat well and healthy and not break the bank. Yes, a little here and there all adds up!

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  8. I agree 100% on the pantry. We don't take any prescription drugs but that is what is scary to me now. The cost is also through the roof! One friend is paying $300 co-pay for just one of her meds and this is a recent increase. And chemo drugs are in short supply. This is just unimaginable a few years ago.

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    1. I don't take any medications either - and I hear the stories. It is very scary. I can't imagine. Luckily my brother & sil have a good supplement plan w/their Medicare and that keeps most cost down some. It sure does pay (in more than one way) to stay healthy!!!

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    2. Shopping available health care plans is so important for cutting those costs! In our very rural area, there are a few businesses that offer information/advice about supplemental Medicare insurance. Hubs and I aren't quite there (he's 63, I'm 61), and the plan we have through his last employer costs us $1300 per month, but we pay little or nothing for needed prescriptions. --Elise
      **Yes, I know that's an outrageous price monthly, but it was the cheapest available and I hang onto the knowledge that when we DO qualify for Medicare, that's going to be a nice chunk of extra $$ each month. It is what it is for now.

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  9. Our food costs have remained either stable or under what we spent last year. We are blessed with being able to shop at organic farms who offer a "gift card" where you can prepurchase your groceries and instead of getting box filled with things that they choose you can choose your own groceries and it's deducted from the card. For things that aren't available at the farm we do have a favorite grocery store that is about 40 miles from us, but worth the trip, to get any other items we need. I only buy fresh or frozen food, and keep my pantry stocked with ingredients . I love a good sale and when King Salmon and Halibut go on sale at Vital Choice (the only two fish that are low enough in histamine that I can eat), we stock up. Slow and steady wins the race when it comes to building up a pantry. Cookie

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    1. What a neat plan that is. I wish we had something like that around me. I love you have good options for the other things as well.
      Yes indeed, slow and steady!

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  10. Wonderful Blessing and reminder! : )

    I love your entries and don't tire of them at all. I'm really having to take stock of my stash, I have a lot of high sodium foods in there, I can rinse some if an emergency comes up (not the best) but some that are seasoned not so much. So, no biggy, little by little I'm adding at least a 3 week supply of low or no sodium foods, it's shocking when looking at something as innocent as canned tomatoes or refried beans in a can.

    So many people buy so many convenience foods at the stores, I remember a while back a very sweet fellow-mom mentioned she was bringing 'lunchables' for a picnic lunch for her kids. I knew those were overpriced and I just thought...Huh? You can't throw in those same things in a bag on your own? I didn't say anything of course, this gal is precious, but it really amazes me sometimes. And sure, I'll buy frozen french fries or plain no salt chips at times to be eaten as a handful with a sandwich etc. or maybe veggie eggrolls for a dinner now and then and I cherish my Italian tofurky but divide that up in freezer portions, but it's not an every day thing for the mostpart. I'm sure most people agree here. One of our daughters was telling me about a family who is very low on money but who have loads of canned coca cola in their fridge.

    Oh well. Kind of reminds me of the family who said they couldn't make rice because they didn't own a rice cooker! LOL

    You are soooooooooooooo correct on the fear mongering. What I realized is that there are many people who are speaking truth on youtube but really over-do it on any cautions turning it into fear using that to make boo-coos of money on youtube! Many of these people you cannot even watch for over 5 minutes before they have commercials pop up through-out the entire video. (Their choice on that too.) I unsubbed from many that do that and lately just listen to my relaxing music. The only thing that is required on youtube is a commercial at the beginning and the end, otherwise it's their choice I have found out from a very sweet, viable youtuber couple.

    I hope you are doing okay, thinking of you, praying about your situation there. Isaiah says "I will set my face like flint and I will not be ashamed".

    You are a blessing to many, I hope you know that. : ) (((hugs!)))

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    1. Thank you! Yes, you can always rinse things - but there is still some extra salt. I think we all have our spurges now and then. I love a good chip once in a while, or canned soup for those days I don't want to cook. I love a bologna sandwich now and then - but it isn't a regular thing and I can afford it!
      So much junk food is purchased. People think it is so convenient - yet it sure isn't healthy. That isn't convenient either.
      I never listen to the adds on YT and have unsubscribed to a lot of channels. Yes, it is their choice and a money maker.
      Thank you for the prayers - please keep them coming!!!!
      Thank you so much - it means a lot.

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    2. Amelia, may I gently ask that you do some research before you cut all salt from your diet? It can be dangerous to go too low with sodium. Hard on your heart, kidneys, etc. Even though I don't have high blood pressure and never have, I have mild type2 diabetes, so was put on the very lowest dose/type of blood pressure pill and am doing fine on it. No side effects at all. --Elise

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    3. P.S. Type2 diabetes runs strong in my family and I had gestational diabetes with both sons' pregnancies. Doctors were thrilled that it was 25 years before it arrived to stay, in large part because of how I cook and eat (and always have). Many people don't understand there's a genetic component that comes into play, even when you eat healthy and limit sugar. --Elise

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    4. Hi Elise, The least amount of sodium anyone should have from what I have read is 500. There is sodium even in the almond milk I drink! lol Both of my grandparents had diabetes late in life but even my 90 something year old Italian grandpa was able to reverse his! : D The human body is made to heal itself. I'm glad you are doing well on the dosage Elise, my mom had started years ago on high bp medicine and it was causing her to pass out more than once a week so she went all natural and even now at 93 this week she's getting better by lowering sodium, she is stubborn on exercising but it's up to her at this point. Have your heard of Dr. Joel Fuhrman? He's very good on things like that too. It's all very complicated and all synthetic medicines have risks and side effects, I watched my poor dad succumb to the system and went from being an attractive 70 something year old, fit and trim, to a blown up round man the exact time he started the synthetic meds. It was horrible...The doctors would never ever tell him about any kind of nutrition and it was very sad...Just looking at hospital food tells me something. I know doctors can be a Godsend for sure and so can synthetic medicine but I think there is so many natural things that can help too if enough research is put into it. Do you have any links to articles Elise? That would be good to read on the subject about sodium and low and no sodium. I eat a little sodium but try to keep it to absolutely no more than 500 per meal if that. I had such a scare I had to radicalize my diet and hopefully things will be okay at 500 a meal in the near future, I'm working up to the 500 per meal. Beet juice has been helpful, i use powdered beet root and hibiscus tea is great too. Thanks for your info Elise, let me know if you have some good links. : ) I appreciate you!

      God bless you Elise, ~Amelia

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    5. Research is kind of my middle name, Amelia. :-)

      Since being treated at Stanford University Medical Center in my late teens, and learning that medical expertise evolves and changes over time, I've kept up with medical journals and such over the years, as well as responsible, reliable naturopathy. I was worried about BP meds, to be honest, and fought taking anything for years. Last year (at 60) I finally agreed with the caveat that if it caused any problems whatsoever I was going off of them. So far, so good. MIL was taken to emergency a few times in her final year for too low sodium (as it turned out). That's the only reason I mentioned it. But she was in end stage kidney cancer, so...?? God bless you, too, Amelia. You and your family are in my prayers every day. Always know that.
      --Elise

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    6. Thanks Elise, and btw I need to clarify for anyone reading this, the 500 mg of sodium is the requirement per day according to my research. The 500 per meal is a suggestion by some if people wish to lower sodium in a healthy way to 1500 a day. Many lower theirs to 1000 or lower a day. I'll continue my research as I have time, that is very interesting on your MIL.

      God bless always Elise! ~Amelia

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  11. Our local Co-op had meat on sale this week, so I picked up more than I needed for the moment, but I know it will get used and I won't need to buy more for a few weeks. Since I only have the fridge freezer, I am limited, however it does amaze me how much that freezer will hold.
    My lettuce and green onions are being harvested almost daily. The tomatoes and cucumber are blooming, and the peppers are starting to develop buds as well. It will be awhile before they provide the fresh veg.
    My biggest problem is remembering to shop at home first especially for cleaning supplies. Example I bought dish detergent a week or two ago, got home and realized I had three other bottles in the cupboard. I guess it is time to do an inventory!
    Have a wonderful day.

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    1. It is amazing what can be put in those small freezers! You might as well get it when the price is low and save. Like you said, you will use it. I love that you are getting produce already - you had such a cold winter.
      Thos e inventories can save money too! Good reminder to do one every once in a while!

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  12. Every time I see the Amish Cooking Cookbook, I laugh. My mom bought one many years ago and my sister and I loved cooking from it. We borrowed it many times. At some point she bought both of us a copy for Christmas. We used them a lot. About 10 years after getting them for Christmas, mom had a great idea and bought Amish Cooking for both of us for Christmas. Yep a second copy she forgot and then said keep it for when the first one wears out. We both still have both copies and are waiting for the first one to wear out.

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    1. I love that book. I went to an Amish festival/quilt gathering years (34) ago and they were selling them. My sister and I both got them. Funny, last time I went to the Mennonite store (last year) they had them for sale as well. Same one!
      It must be a staple!!!

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  13. Such a timely post, too, Cheryl. When the Independence Day sales kick in over the next few weeks, know what condiments and other sale goods you could use for your pantry. Katsup or mustard getting low? Mayo? Relish or other pickles that you'll use for the holiday pickle tray? BBQ sauce for holiday meatball appetizers or for use in autumn tailgate dishes? Throw a couple of extra packages of hot dogs, sausages, or burger patties into the freezer for later use. If you use brownie or cake mixes, they're often on sale for the 4th of July, too. And watch for baked beans to go on sale, as well. Strawberries are starting to wind down here, and I've just added some to my freezer for use in toppings and fillings, as well as jam, strawberry salsa, and strawberry lemonade concentrate. Next up are sweet cherries and blueberries.

    I grew up in a small rural community about 15 miles from town and both my grandmother and mom kept a well-stocked pantry--much of it home-grown and home-canned. So, this was my lifestyle -- be prepared to be snowed in, always have back-up items so you're not spending time and gas money running to the store. It has remained so, even though I now live in a major metropolitan suburb with 5 grocery stores within a mile. HOWEVER, in the last several years, there have been three notable instances where I was grateful to have a stocked pantry. #1. When my husband passed suddenly and unexpectedly, his retirement benefits were cut in half; the surviving spouse's pension is 50% of the retired worker's pension. Total shock, was I going to have enough income to make ends meet? Panic set in and I did a paper and pencil inventory of what I had on hand, what I could use extras of, and what essential goods I needed immediately. I put a plan to paper and it all worked out. #2. During the height of Covid, I was doing a once a month or every
    weeks grocery shop, primarily for dairy and fresh produce (in the cooler months; in summer I went to my favorite farmstands for fresh). And #3. Last month, I came home after a 2 week long overseas vacation and tested positive the next day. I was down for the count for 5 full days. But, I had both powdered milk and evaporated on hand for coffee and essential cooking, and was able to pull from my pantry and freezer for most everything I needed for nearly a week, until I was well enough to go to the store for dairy and fresh produce. As a single woman living along, knowing what I have on hand is crucial to my mental health. I KNOW that I can care for myself, regardless of what may happen.

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    1. AMEN. Your last two sentences are critical for all gals out there!!!!!!!!! There are so many things that op up that were never anticipated - and that one SIMPLE thing keeps our heads above water and one less thing to stress about. HUGE STATEMENT - thank you for saying that!!!!!

      Yes those holiday sale times are the best. There are so many things that we can all get for pennies on the dollar during those sale. Condiments, meats, breads, snacks, just all kinds of things. That isn't far off - I hope all take advantage.

      Thanks again - testimonials are the best way for newbies starting out to understand. I can say whatever, but you guys all put it in perspective.

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  14. Good for you. That is what I like to hear. I can make fresh a pretty good amount of time as well - then canned or frozen suffice if I don't go. I love not HAVING to go to the store. It means we are organized and abundant!!!!!!

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  15. I often think of all the food I have here and I feel so blessed.

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    1. We are truly blessed in so many ways. Don't let it go to waste hon!!!!!

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  16. If I would give up milk, I'd not shop so often - but milk is my favorite beverage and also a good source of calcium and protein. Also I want fresh vegs and fruits. I try to be very careful - it's wonderful what I can walk right past in the grocery! :)

    Years ago we lost a freezer full of food. :( I've been really hesitent with frozen food ever since, for it just seems so dependent on good electric power. That's why I prefer dry or canned goods for my pantry. Our power goes out often here.

    You ladies have done better than I have, but I would not starve in a week or so. And yes, I try to keep food *I like to eat* in my pantry. When I was little we kept food against hurricanes. Now I keep food against winter storms. :)
    MaryB

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    1. Yay another milk lover!!!! I just adore milk. A big cold glass oh my tasty!!!!
      I have lost 2 freezers of food over the years. Now I have the home generator to prevent that. I have alarms on the freezer as well - in case it would go out. It can sure be a huge loss. I understand. I do keep a lot of canned meats too.
      Having what you like - would sure make things better just in case!!!!!!!!

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  17. I never find your posts boring !!!! Please keep them coming, it’s great to read everyone’s comments. Louise

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    1. Thank you so much! I love the comments too - you are all so wise!

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  18. Cheryl has created and maintained a fabulous blog. I have lived in a condo for almost 14 years. I've grown a few tomatoes , but nothing else until this year. Now I have tomatoes, potatoes, broccoli, zucchini , cucumbers and lettuce and it's because you all post how great it feels to have a garden. I don't get out much and I love watching it grow. Had the first lettuce tonight. Thank you all. Cindy/WV

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    1. Thank you so much. So glad you expanded your garden and are enjoying it. Nothing like walking out and picking groceries! It is a great past time as well!!

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  19. I love shopping at home. Tommy is sort of impressed when I just go in and gather what I need and have thawed meat. It works for me. I think it was about 1985 when I started buying things on sale to have it for the next few weeks. Yesterday, I stocked up on pimiento from a US grown and US canned stock. Milk, bananas, and apples keep me shopping! The bananas and milk are most important.

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    1. It is impressive and fun. I wish everyone knew that. It sure does make one feel accomplished and SAFE!

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  20. There is so much sodium in ordinary, everyday foods that it is virtually for anyone to get less than 500 mg/day. A cup of milk has 105 mg. A slice of bread can have have over 150. 5.3 oz of sugar-free yogurt has 65 mg. One egg has 70mg.
    A very simple breakfast of toast, egg, coffee with milk, and yogurt can easily get you to 500mg.
    Everyone should carefully monitor their sodium intake. It's far too easy to go over the recommended limit of 2,300mg.

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    1. Thanks Sue. You are so right - it is every where. You can't hide from it - but you can inform yourself and look at things.
      Thank you!

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    2. That is one reason I've tried to can what I can from farm-fresh produce and to bake my own goods, rather than rely on store-bought. I KNOW what's in it and I can control the amount of sodium and other preservatives.

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    3. It is wonderful knowing just what is in your food. You know it is REAL food!!!!!!!!

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